Tamara T Hoke

Tamara Jean (Thompson) Hoke-Goetz

1961-2025

Tamara Jean (Thompson) Hoke-Goetz was born in Moscow, Idaho, September 18, 1961, to Duane and Judith Thompson. Her parents divorced when she was young. She grew up on the Palouse, graduating from Charles Francis Adams High School in Clarkston, Washington. She spent much of her childhood summers in Buhl with her beloved maternal grandparents, Ada and John Baty, who ensured Tammie spent time with her favorite aunt, Donna Brizee, her husband Dick and their five children. This led to fond memories with her Brizee cousins of riding bikes and playing Barbies, playing restaurant/kitchen (and serving breakfast to the cowboys), and building box forts in the basement. Tammie also often visited her paternal grandmother, Dellas Thompson, in Moscow, and then in Twin Falls, Idaho.

After graduating from high school, Tammie packed up her yellow Plymouth Barracuda with a flowered vinyl top and moved to the Portland, Oregon, area, to live with her father and his family, including her sister Jennifer (Thompson) Reeves and her brother, Johnathon Thompson. Her 10-year-old little sister, Jennifer, was so happy to have a big sister and thought Tammie was the coolest person she had ever met. They formed a bond that lasted into adulthood. Tammie brought new energy into the family’s life. She took the kids for ice cream, and Tammie and Jennifer rode horses together ­– her favorite was Raymar. Tammie had a deep love for animals and a quiet confidence about her. Even back then, as a young woman, Tammie was determined and independent, balancing her time between school and making plans for her future. She attended Clackamas Community College for a time, while living in an apartment in Beaverton, Oregon. She was extremely intelligent and inherited her father’s math skills.

Tammie subsequently moved to San Francisco, California, to follow her own path. She married Timothy Hoke, and welcomed her son, Travis Hoke into the world. She and Timothy later divorced. Travis carries his mother’s spark that made her so unique: her boldness, her quiet strength, her work ethic and her love for the simple joys in life. She loved Travis with all her heart, and raised one amazing young man. She allowed Travis to grow into his own person, but always emphasized honor, and taking responsibility for one’s actions – a motto she lived by.

Tammie’s work ethic in all areas of her life could not be rivaled. She always landed on top, but it was because of her work ethic and attitude – she was stubborn, fiercely independent, self-sufficient and strong willed, in all the right ways. Tammie worked much of her adult life at First American Title Company in Pleasanton, California.

Tammie loved to bowl. She belonged to several bowling leagues in California. It was her love of bowling that led to meeting her soulmate, Ron Goetz, in 2000, who become her partner in life, partner in pranks, and partner in spending time with family. Tammie loved Ron mightily. They were married in Reno in 2014. Ron, Tammie, and Travis continued to travel to Twin Falls nearly every year for Thanksgiving at the Brizee Hillcrest Drive home, and also for the Brizee family reunions at Redfish Lake every Fourth of July. Tammie enjoyed these family gatherings, and reconnecting with her Thompson/Brizee family. She loved going to the after-Thanksgiving arts and crafts shows, especially the one at the Grange, and going to the Herrett Center Faulkner Planetarium. Tammie’s presence at these gatherings was the “icing on the cake” as she added so much to the events. Much to the chagrin of the younger children, she somehow always had a sixth-sense of when her son and his cousins were contemplating some poorly inspired idea of an unsafe adventure, and was the one who re-directed, while still admiring their spirit and ingenuity.

Tammie was deeply caring about others, and always showed up when it mattered the most. After the death of her father and stepmother, Tammie stepped whole heartedly back into the role of big sister with strength and compassion for her sister, Jennifer. Tammie’s support during that time was more than words can say. She always opened her schedule and her home when family was in the area.

Tammie suffered her first stroke in 2014 in California, at the young age of 53, with residual permanent injuries to her left leg, left arm, lungs and vocal cords. She muscled through rehabilitation and made it home. Ron was by her side throughout the battle, attending to her with kindness and devotion. She had to learn how to do many things again, including how to walk and talk again. She also had to learn how to drive again, with Travis as her driver’s ed teacher.

In 2019, Tammie and Ron moved to Twin Falls, Idaho. Tammie enjoyed spending more time with family and settling into life in Idaho. She suffered a second stroke in July 2024. She once again worked hard to regain as much as she could with the help of the team at St. Luke’s Magic Valley Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit. She made it home.

Tammie suffered a respiratory event in January 2025. She was hospitalized and then transferred to Serenity Transitional Care Center for rehabilitation. She improved, but had another setback and was transferred to the hospital, and then to St. Luke’s Magic Valley Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit, where she was working hard to make it back home. Unfortunately, her heart gave out, and she passed away suddenly with her husband, Ron, and cousin, Diana, at her side.

Tammie was a woman who persevered through many difficult situations. She never gave up. She never felt sorry for herself. She never complained. She never had a disparaging word about the cards she had been dealt. In true Tammie fashion, when the going got tough, she just got tougher. There are many moments when her spunk and spirit were on display – especially at Redfish Lake, where she would walk long distances with her four-point cane and her leg brace to participate in family camp activities, to watch water fights at Point Beach, or to spend a moment at her Aunt Donna Brizee’s favorite bench along the water.

Despite her disabilities, Tammie always rallied for family events, including high school basketball games, trips to Boise for concerts, and family celebrations. She was always interested in engaging with people, and once you met her, you wanted to know more about her. Tammie never met a stranger she didn’t like and could not engage with. For those who had only met her recently, or briefly, they mourn the loss of getting to know her better and deeper. She was a willing mom to any young person who needed a hug, a smile or a word of encouragement.

Anyone who knew Tammie understood she was an absolute sports fanatic. She spent many enjoyable hours cheering on her favorite teams: the Golden State Warriors for basketball, the San Francisco Giants for baseball, the Anaheim Ducks for hockey, the Denver Broncos for football, and Kevin Harvick was her favorite NASCAR driver.

Over the years, she had many four-legged friends, including her dog, Hammer, and several cats, including Ashley, Misty and Psycho. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Twin Falls Animal Shelter/People for Pets. 

The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to caring physicians Dr. Joseph Ippolito, Dr. Greg Ball, Dr. Jonathan Myers and Dr. Joseph Ostler, as well as to the staff at St. Luke’s Magic Valley Intensive Care Unit and at the Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit. They would also like to extend their deepest gratitude to the staff at Serenity, especially Tyler and Buffy, for all of their gracious care and support of Tammie during her extended time with them.

Tammie is survived by her husband, Ron Goetz; her son, Travis Hoke; her sister, Jennifer (Jim) Reeves; her brother Michael McCroskey; her cousins Dan (Jennifer) Brizee, Dana Brizee, Debbie (Ralph) Budwig, Diana Brizee and Dedra (Todd) Swanstrom; and many nieces and nephews; as well as Pyscho, her beloved cat.

In keeping with Tammy's wishes, private services will be held at a later date.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family in the guestbook section below.